The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-05
MINNESOTA.
The First Swedish Universalist Church in
the World.

The First Swedish Universalist Church il
the World.
It seems to devolve upon us to giv'
some account of the organization of The
first Swedish Universalist church in the
world, and the ordination, as it's pastor
Of the first Swedish Universalist minis
ter, the Rev. August Dellgren, graduate
of the Divinity School of Lombard Uni.
versity. The services were held in the
Church of the Redeemer, Minneapolis
on Thursday evening, Dec. 16, 1886, after
the following order: Music, choir; intro
ductory address, Rev. M. d. Shutter;
Scripture reading, Rev. W. r. Dobbyn;
prayer, Rev. Kristofer Janson; music,
choir; organization Of church, Rev. L. G..
Powers; sermon, Rev. 8. Crane, d. D.;
hymn of ordination; ordaining prayer,
Rev. w. Ell. Harrington; charge and de-
livery of Scriptures, Rev. W. s. Vail;
right hand OF fellowship, Rev. L. d.
Boynton; music, choir; address from con-
gregation, Albert Jaeger; address to con-
gregation, Rev. 81. M. Simmons; music,
doxology; benedictioD, Rev. August DELL
gren.
This order was carried out to the letter
with two exceptions. Rev. Mr.. Dobbyn
and Rev. Mr.. Boynton did not put In
their appearance. Who read the Script
ures we cannot remember; but Rev. Mr..
Vail gave the right hand of fellowship in
addition to the part assigned him. Rev.
Mr.. Janson is pastor of the Norwegian
Unitarian church, and his prayer was in
the Norwegian language. Mr.. Jaeger is
member of the Swedish Universalist
church, and his address was in the
Swedish language. We did not under
stand much of it, but his brother Swedes,
we noticed, gave him excellent attention,
and the fire in his eye indicated that he
was in dead earnest. We think he would
make good Universalist minister. So
far as we are permitted to speak, the SER
vices were Of high order, the address of
Rev. Mr.. Simmons, of the Unitarian
church, being especially happy. The SER
vices lasted over two hours and were
listened to by a congregation of about
two hundred, mostly Swedes. 1t was
evidently composed of good, substantial
men and women, belonging to the best
class of the Swedish people. A church
of fifteen members was organized, with
the promise of more before long. Vari-
GUS reasons prevented come, who were ex-
pected to unite, from being present on
this occasion.
Br. Dellgren has been laboring in this
Swedish mission for about six months,
and this is the fruit of his work. He has
now church of fifteen members with the
prospect of an increase to at least
twenty-five in the near future, and he
has just started Sunday-school He
breaches in an old Swedish church, and
his congregations range from fifty to
seventy-fve. Br. Powers, who has been
very helpful in this movement, told us
that he knew Of about forty well-to-do
Swedish families who we're looking to-
ward this movement and thinking of
going into it. If they can be induced to
do so they will make strong church.
The movement thus far has succeeded be-
yond expectation. Br. Dellgren went there
without any experience and not know
ing that single Swede was in sympathy
with our faith. 1t was literally for
eign mission, though in our own land. He
began under difficulties and has worked
under difficulties throughout. The Min.
neapolis people have come forward nobly
on the financial side. Thus far they have
borne most of the expense. We hope
many of our churches will now come for
ward and help. Let not the Minneapolis
churches have all the glory of establish.
ing the first Swedish Universalist church
in the world. One thing surprised us
little: that more OF our Universalist peo-
pie we're not present at what one of the
city papers called "notable occasion"
We expected to see the church full of
Universalists, there being three churches
in the city; but only few were present.
We hope the Minneapolis Universalists
of the American persuasion will not
give this infant Swedish church the "cold
shoulder socially; ostracised as they are
and will be, socially, by their own peo-
pie. They will be in very cool place if
they have no social recognition by their
new church friends. We trust these
friends will remember this and give
them the warm hand of social welcome.
1t was our privilege to remain over
Sunday in the "hour" city. We preached
in the morning in the Church of the
Redeemer. We had as fine a congrega-
ton as one often has the privilege of
looking over. There was an indication
of much wealth coupled with good, solid
sense, two things that are not always TO-
gether. They gave the most earnest
attention to the preaching and did not
seem bit inclined to go to pieces over
good strong gospel. We think they have
been well educated. DR.. Tuttle was in
the South, and the junior pastor, Br,
Shutter, who came to us about a year
ago from the Baptists, was in full charge
of the pulpit and church work. Every